Flying Through the USA with a gun (Non US Citizen)

[beetroot]

Not sure where best to post this, assume this forum is section is as good as any.

I am planning to fly to Europe which likely involves going through the USA with a rifle.
I've done a lot of research and found the requirements for travelling to the USA (need a ATF 6NIA form) but have read that it is not required if just transiting the US. I have applied for a 6NIA form anyway but not sure it'll be approved as I don't meet the requirements (don't have a hunting permit or a US match invitation).

I have read if you don't clear customs that you don't need any paperwork for the US, but I'll likely be going through LAX and need to change terminals which requires me to clear customs.

Has any of the foreigners on the Hide been in this situation and can offer guidance?

 

[Bakwa]

You will be denied for your 6NIA. You just don't meet the criteria.
Beyond that, when you get to the US, it's not uncommon to have to hop from one gate to another to change planes. While doing so, you will not have access to your checked bags between flights. The Airlines will remain in charge of them the whole time.
*When flying interstate, I can make a connecting flight through a state [such as NY] with a firearms checked in my luggage, and it's fine because the airline is handling it, not me. Your final destination is all that matters in this case.*
Assuming international flights are treated the same, you shouldn't have an issue.

If you're concerned about it, I would find a U.S. customs number and give them a call. They should be able to clarify for you.

Cheers

 

[Char'ed Cuterie]

You'll need some specialized help answering this question, which I hope someone will be along shortly for.

I have one nugget to help here, though:

LAX is different, sometimes profoundly different, than any other CONUS airport I've ever had the displeasure of transiting through. As you are already aware, LAX does indeed make you go ALL the way out of the airport secure area when changing terminals, and that means you have to go ALL the way out (including customs) and then ALL the way back in (including security) all over again. They do not care about special circumstances, they do not care about what arrangements this might break, everybody goes all the way out and back again. They can also be about a quarter mile apart, I distinctly remember running most of that difference because I had no concept of such fuckery and hadn't planned on it.

I'm hopeful that somebody local to LAX or who otherwise knows better can come along and help with this, but I don't personally know any way around it. If life changed for me and I had to fly through the West Coast again, I would honestly consider paying TRIPLE to fly out of a different airport - anything but LAX. For your circumstances, I would look VERY hard at what it would take to fly direct to your destination instead of accepting a layover in a yet-third country.